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Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

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This Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes. With a crispy golden crust and a silky lemon garlic butter sauce, it’s a crowd-pleaser that feels fancy without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin on or off)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (juiced and zested)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. This is the most important step. Wet salmon won’t sear—it’ll steam instead.
  2. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika if using. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  3. Zest and juice the lemon before you start cooking.
  4. Heat the olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and let it melt.
  5. Place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if they have skin. Don’t crowd the pan.
  6. Cook for 4 minutes without moving them. The salmon will release easily from the pan when it’s ready.
  7. Flip the fillets carefully using a fish spatula or thin spatula. Cook for another 3 minutes on the second side.
  8. Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  9. Add the lemon juice and zest to the pan. Let it bubble and reduce for about 1 minute, spooning the sauce over the salmon.
  10. Remove the pan from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with the lemon garlic butter spooned over the top.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the salmon for a good crust. Watch the garlic so it doesn’t burn. Use room temperature salmon for even cooking. Trust the sizzle—a steady, lively sizzle is ideal. For a crowd, keep finished fillets warm in a 200°F oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner, weeknight salmon, lemon butter salmon

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/easy-lemon-garlic-butter-salmon-recipe/